His letters are sometimes unsparing in their reflections upon others. Of the Bishop of Edinburgh (John Paterson) he says (No. 196)," He is the most impudent of mankinde, for he attests me as a wittness of his litle medling, his abstractness from the affairs of the toun, &c. But I hope he shal flitt his nest." Of a letter from the Bishop, in the same letter, he says, he, and Middleton, to whom he read it, "did lauch sufficiently at it." Upon Middleton himself a few weeks later he turned the laugh (No. 210), "I told you always right of him, he is the oddest man in the uorld, and is now as humorsome as the winde. But he is ingadged past retreat, and just as he had done all he could for us, he so discredited himself, that I fear not his after game. . . . We take no notice of him but to laugh at him."

Evidence is never wanting of his loyalty both to King Charles the Second and his brother the Duke of York. In a letter (No. 213) he states that he purposed to have portraits of them painted by Kneller for his chambers at Holyrood, at his own cost, the King and the Duke having agreed to sit for them.

There is a hiatus of about ten months in the letters of Drummond reported upon, between (No. 229) 30 November 1683, and (No. 230) 25 September 1684. He was, on the first of these dates, on his way to Scotland, where he remained until November 1684, when he returned to London. Till the close of September 1684, he was apparently in Edinburgh or its vicinity, where he would have opportunities of meeting with Queensberry which would obviate any necessity for his writing to him. But in the beginning of October, he was sent to Glasgow, where he was for the greater part of that month, and from which place he wrote many letters to Queensberry, which shall be noticed shortly.

After the Earl of Moray had been Secretary of State for Scotland for about two years, Charles, second Earl of Middleton, was, on the 26th September 1682, associated with him in that office. But on the appointment of Middleton, on 26th August 1684, to be one of the principal Secretaries of State for England, John Drummond succeeded him as Secretary for Scotland, an office which he continued to hold till the Revolution.

Letter No. 231 is endorsed, probably by Queensberry, after Drummond was raised to the peerage, "Earl Melfort's letter when made Secretary." The enclosure in this letter which Drummond speaks of sending to Queensberry, who was Treasurer, was evidently a copy of letters appointing him to be Secretary. In the letter itself Drummond evinces solicitude upon the subject of the emoluments of his new office. The letter of appointment, he says, made no mention of a pension to be given him. But he was convinced the ordering of the matter would be in Queensberry's hand, and he makes many protestations of confidence in and regard for him, "under whoes protectione, I intend to liv the rest of my days." He acknowledges the many obligations he was under to serve him and his interests, next to those of the royal family,

and it was his wish that he might "be able to return such services, as, at least, may not make me apear ungrate, for to be able to requite them is mor then I can hope for." Drummond's subsequent conduct to Queensberry two years later is an instructive commentary upon these statements.

The year 1684 begins the period known in history as "the Killing Time" in Scotland. Drummond took an active part in the severe measures adopted against the Covenanters at this time. As already indicated, he was during the most of this year in Scotland. In October, he was one of the Judges on the Western Circuit. This required his presence in Glasgow. He wrote from there the series of letters in this Report giving an account of his proceedings. His letters show how exceedingly zealous and active he was in these. Letter No. 235 gives a journal of the "Justice Raid" in Lanarkshire. He writes "Duke Hamilton and I haranged furiously and spock to all I uas aqueinted uith to bring them to offer," mentioning their success. To enforce their schemes, Drummond says, he was resolved "to go the leinthe of the Leache." Those who would not comply, he adds, "shal repent it, or our instructions shal be deficient." His zeal was such that he and his associates had been "in constant business since 8 this morning, and nou it uants but a quarter of 12 at night."

Letter No. 240 furnishes further information of the doings of the Western Circuit, and states the condition of affairs in the district over which it had jurisdiction. The letter proceeds to state that their minutes would shew if their example was followed by the magistrates of the country, "ue shal see fanaticisme as great a monster as the Rinoceros."

The case of Porterfield of Douchal has been regarded as an outstanding one in the Western Circuit. Porterfield came to be known as "Melfort's Martyr.' Melfort's Martyr." On this account, Drummond's reference to it in letter No. 240, where he states his recommendations regarding it, is of interest.

Subsequent letters in the Report continue to supply information regarding the measures adopted against the "fanatics," and the part Drummond had in them. In letter No. 242, Drummond states the difficulties they found in dealing with the heritors of Lanark and the uncomplimentary views he entertained of them. He says, "This whole country consists of a sort of mungrell currs, half heritor, half common and whole brute;' and that hundreds that might have been judged on the spot must be remitted to Edinburgh. The unsatisfactory "great heritors," "are innumerable as the rogues ue hav to deal uith," and he adds "aither Scotland is in ane ill conditione, or mor disorders then any tuo districts besides."

ue hav

Towards the end of 1684, and in the early part of 1685, Queensberry and Claverhouse were not in agreement. The occasion of the breach was the part the latter took in favouring

a bill given in to the Council against Colonel Douglas, the brother of Queensberry. The Premier took the part of his brother and resented the action of Claverhouse. Drummond makes frequent mention of the conduct of the latter to Queensberry in his letters, and always in the way of denouncing it. He brought the matter under the notice of the Duke of York and states the displeasure the Duke felt at Claverhouse in the matter. In letter No. 276, he says of Claverhouse, "if he uill play the fool he most drink as he breus.' In letter No. 281, the last in this Report, dated 16 April 1685, Drummond, who was now Earl of Melfort, intimates to Queensberry the King's interposition in his favour in the matter, by ordering Claverhouse to give Queensberry satisfaction.

The year 1685 opened with a display of unabated zeal upon the part of the Government and its officials against the Covenanters. Jealousy was now more than ever manifested lest any mercy should be shewn them either by the King or by those under him. Drummond's letter, No. 267, while giving an example of this, makes it abundantly evident how little leniency to the Covenanters accorded with the policy of the government. He refers on 29th January to rumours of the King's intention to adopt new and apparently milder measures and to release some prisoners. Queensberry appears in some alarm to have mentioned the rumours to Drummond, who replies, "As for new measures, fear them not; the suggestion of them is in enmity to the King and Duke, and what neuer entered in ther thought to doe. So think thes stories lyes." As for the other matter, he assures him on this also, saying it was only "some loyall subjects imprisoned by reason of Oats' plott. Of any other course, such as had been imagined, "I am sure my principalls are so farr from that, that I uold clamor higts befor thes fanatiques get any rest to truble us mor."

The first reference to the illness of King Charles the Second which terminated in his death is in letter (No. 268), dated 5th February 1685. In this letter Drummond reports that the King continued to grow better and better, and that a return of feverishness the previous night had been met by giving him "Jesuites pouder" twice during the night, which relieved him, SO that he was better than he had been since the beginning of his trouble. The King died a day later, on 6th February 1685, and was succeeded by his brother, King James the Seventh. Moray and Drummond, the two Secretaries, on the day of the King's death wrote to the Council in Scotland reminding them to have King James proclaimed with the usual solemnities, and enclosing a proclamation of his Majesty. This letter which is printed by Wodrow,' is not included in the collection of letters here reported. But it is alluded to in letter No. 269, which also gives some account of the King's death and of the proclamation of King James.

'History, Folio Edit., Vol. II. No. ci. B. p. 141.

Particulars are given of the ceremonials connected with the succession of the new sovereign and of the arrangements for the funeral of the late King in letters Nos. 270 and 271.

The accession of King James to the throne which had been matter of dread anticipations was in its actual accomplishment a most tranquil event, everything relating to it proceeding quietly and pleasantly. Letter No. 272, written on 10th February 1685, and of which an abstract is given in the Report, alludes to this. It states, "The face of things continous so smooth, that it looks like a miracle to imagine that ther should hav bein so great fears for a thing so litle dreedfull in itself. I assur your Grace that ther is the fairest hopes that euer any King of Ingland had."

On 14th April, 1685, King James, immediately after ascending the throne, advanced John Drummond to the peerage as Viscount of Melfort. Drummond makes no mention of this promotion in his letters. The Viscount was, a year later, on the 12th August 1686, created Earl of Melfort.

The charge of baseness has, not without good ground, been brought against Melfort by Macaulay.' He and his brother, the Earl of Perth, were men of towering ambition. Discerning that nothing would gratify the King so much as apostacy, they abjured the Protestant faith and went to hear Mass. To justify this proceeding, they declared that the papers found after his death in the strong box of King Charles the Second had converted them. This step secured to them so much of the royal favour that, upon the strength of it, they attempted to bring about the downfall of Queensberry as Chief Administrator of Affairs in Scotland. In this they ultimately succeeded, and thereby obtained that coveted position for themselves. The advantages gained, by Melfort at the expense of his reputation proved only temporary. At the Revolution adhering to King James, who made him Duke of Melfort, he was attainted.

The Earl of Melfort was twice married. On April 30th 1670 he was married to Sophia Lundin, and had issue. She was sole heiress of the family of Lundin, and by her the Earl obtained the estate of that name from which he took his territorial designation before receiving the peerage. He married secondly, Euphemia, daughter of Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie, by whom he had also issue. The children of his first marriage were brought up Protestants, against their father's wish, by the family of Lundin. A clause in the Act of Forfeiture provided that the forfeiture should not affect or taint the blood of the children of the Earl's

first marriage. G. H. Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, the present Earl of Ancaster, is the lineal descendant of John Drummond, Earl of Melfort, and his wife Sophia Lundin.

'History of England, Ed. 1854, Vol. II. pp. 112 and 113.

SECTION FIRST.-Letters from Alexander Earl of Moray, Secretary of State for Scotland to William, Marquis and Duke of Queensberry, 1682-1686.

(I). LETTERS from 11th May 1682 to 16th August 1683.

Whythall, May 11: 1682.

1. On Tuisday morninge I uent to Windsor to giue his Majesty account of the tumult that hapned at Edinb: on the 2d and 3d of this monthe accordinge to the information I reseaved from the councill the night befor by a flyeinge paket. The Kinge hes commanded me in his name to tell the Marqus of Atholl uho urot to me that he is ueall pleased uithe the councills caer and diligens on this occatione, that he expects speedy justice uill be done on sutch as haue bene the principall contryevers and ringleaders of it, and that th[e]y uill fall on sutch sutable messurs as may secur the peace of that citty and prevent sutch daengerous disorders in tyme cominge. I uould say nothing publictly to the chancellor untill uee hear from Scotland of his instalment. And now I must tell you houe greatly the Kinge and uholl court uear surprysed at a letter the E. Connanny reseaued from the deputy governor of Hull that night shewinge that the Gloster Frigat in uhich His R. Highnes saeld uas stranded on the Lemon Sands, but that the Dwk was saefe aboard of a yaucht and holdinge on his cours to Scotland. God Almighty be prased for his saefty and uealfaer. Longe doe wee louk for the happy news of his saefe arryvall there. This uould be as surprysinge to you as it uas to us, altho its lyk you uould hear nothinge untill your coming to Edinb: or the arryvall of this post uher you ar on

the rode.

I shall not troble you now uithe any bussines, but besitch you to mynd to speke uithe the Dwk conserninge the pyment of my 3000 lib. ster. assinged by the Dwk of Lawderdall out of his pensione on the excresens of the excyse. Seinge that is now taken auay, I houp you uill fall on some effectuall uay for my pyment uhich uould ruien my credit hear, iff it uear delayed. I relye on your frendship in the matter.

Postscript:-Pray remember what I spoke to you conserning the Laird of Balnagowne.

Windsore Castell, May 30: 1682. 2. "I had the honor of yours of the 20th instant and delyverd your letter to His R. Highnes my self. Ther can be nothinge of bussines moved or done hear this week, for on Sonday last His Majesty, in tyme of sermone toke a shifferinge couldnes that oblidged him to come from the chapell and uas ill all that day. Yisterday morninge he driw blood, and this night rested weall, and this morninge he is, blessed be God, hearty and all simtoms over, and will ryse in the afternone. The occation of his distemper as all hear conclude uas that plaeinge att Tennes on Friday last and haueinge a lousnes in the midell of his play, and in his